Johan Vanderplaetse

Background

About Johan Vanderplaetse

As an executive, chair, board member, and advisor with over three decades of leadership in technology, telecommunications, B2B, and industrial sectors, I am passionate about driving growth, innovation, and sustainable transformation. Throughout my career, I have been focused on foreseeing industry trends, craft aspirational strategies, and lead organizations through complex transformations, always anchored in operational excellence.Specialized in defining and executing go-to-market strategies that maximize value and drive sustainable global growth. With a proven track record in managing global P&L, I excel at building strong networks, fostering key relationships with stakeholders, and forming impactful alliances with clients and government entities. A sought-after speaker on global business, strategic investment, and geopolitics, I bring a unique perspective as a “citizen of the world. Especially well connected and experienced in the Eurasian region, which is why I founded there a dedicated company “Desert Rose” to help new entrants grow to success. If you are seeking insights on global growth strategies, business turnarounds, or navigating complex market environments, please connect. Together, we can explore opportunities to drive innovation, build impactful alliances, and achieve sustainable success in today’s dynamic global landscape.*: I drove the transformation from a HW oriented offer to a SW Defined Open Platform Offering and reoriented the Go To Market Strategy to support this transformation. I implemented operational efficiencies to protect margins and championed an innovative energy and automation platform that secured significant O&G industry projects. By building high-level relationships, including ministerial-level contacts, I positioned the business for sustained success.*: Led the restructuring and turnaround of Emerson’s operations in Russia & CIS, achieving a remarkable 177% growth in four years. By streamlining processes, simplifying organizational structures, and establishing a fit-for-purpose sales strategy, I transformed the region’s operations into a high-performing, customer-focused organization. My leadership was honored with two Emerson Business Leader Awards.*: Spearheaded business development in Russia & CIS, growing the region’s revenue from $60M to $800M in less than a decade. I secured a $240M mobile network project in Belarus, financed by the Chinese Export Credit Agency, solidifying the company’s presence in the region.